The Scottish Government, Scottish Development International (SDI), and Foras are excited to welcome applications to join a funded 14-person cohort for the NYC 2023 Foras Programme.
This April, Scottish tech leaders can join a fully-funded* journey to explore New York’s world-renowned entrepreneurial ecosystem. Becoming a global business is no easy task on a tight budget, so they will cover the bills so you can focus on doing what you do best.
Through facilitated introductions, business visits, hands-on workshops and investor-facing opportunities, you’ll develop deeper connections that will foster inspiration, accelerate your business, and broaden your professional network both in Scotland and internationally.
Why New York?
The New York ecosystem is ranked at number 2 globally, and has the second-highest absolute number of early-stage investments in the world, after Silicon Valley, with a local startup community valued at $147 Billion. New York boasts 9000+ startups, 100+ incubators and has strong links with Scotland via the GlobalScot network, and Scottish Development International’s East Coast office.
The visit will coincide with ‘Tartan Week’ and the NYC Tartan Day Parade. Now in its 24th year, the occasion attracts the best Scottish and Scottish-American artists, entrepreneurs, organisations and more, in an effort to promote, support, and develop deeper personal connections with Scottish heritage in the United States of America. It is our aim to ensure that innovative Scotland-based tech businesses, and our wider entrepreneurial ecosystem, are well represented during this week.
What you can expect from the programme?
The term ‘Foras’ means growth, together, abroad, “for us”. We can see this as going forth, to look outwards, together, to meet and create a forum for discussion. Those values and intentions are at the root of the design of this programme.
This programme will build on recent successful cohort visits from the Foras team and SDI to Silicon Valley in April 2022, Climate Tech Week 2022 in New York, and the Slush conference in Helsinki.
This opportunity will be useful for Scotland-based businesses considering US market entry, raising capital from American investors, and establishing international partnership opportunities in the US. In addition, this programme will foster peer relationships, founder education and break down barriers for some of Scotland’s most promising tech businesses who want to crack the US market and mindset.
Expect to experience the vibrant culture of New York City, have quality time with established US tech success stories and Scottish diaspora businesses, visit world-class accelerators and be part of unique networking opportunities with entrepreneurial representatives and tech investors from America’s East Coast. The week will come to a close with a unique opportunity to pitch your business at an exclusive investor mixer event.
What you need to know:
What: 14-person entrepreneurial cohort programme
Where: New York, USA
When: 10–17 April 2022 (Inclusive)
*What is paid for:
- Return flights from Edinburgh to New York
- Twin-share hotel accommodation in Lower Manhattan with breakfast (subsidised upgrades available)
- Activities, workshops and professional visits including invite-only investor event
Who you are and requirements
- Founder, Director or C-Suite Leader in a Scotland-based tech startup (recommended Seed+) or scaleup
- Meet US travel/entry requirements **
- Excited to be part of this cohort and connect with the best and brightest from the global entrepreneurship scene
** COVID fully vaccinated + due to the current processing times for visas in the UK, they will be accepting ONLY applicants who already have a US Visa or are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Applications close Friday3 March at 5.00 pm.
Applications will be considered as they come in, so please don’t delay in registering your interest!
If you have any questions please contact hello@foras.scot